Mass killer fights to say sorry

**Tony** · 06-26-07, 04:50 AM

By Katie Bice
June 26, 2007 02:30pm

MELBOURNE mass murderer Julian Knight says writing apologies to his victims is part of his rehabilitation and should not be stopped by prison authorities. Knight, 39, is fighting in court to have his security status downgraded and a management plan put in place to facilitate his re-introduction to society.

He was jailed for life in November 1988, with a minimum of 27 years, for murdering seven people and wounding 19 others in Melbourne's Hoddle Street, in August 1987.

He appeared at the Victorian Supreme Court today where he is seeking to have access to rehabilitation and for a sentence management plan to be fixed to prepare him for his earliest possible release in 2014. Knight, representing himself, told the court he had written a letter of apology and explanation to one of his victims that had been seized by authorities. He argued the letter was not offensive, threatening or a security problem so should not have been stopped by a Barwon Prison mail officer.

"It is a matter of offering an apology and explanation and I cannot see how it could be construed that way," he said.

"I can understand it is a delicate topic ... and it is not something I undertook lightly and it was only something that was done after much consideration and reflection.

"It constitutes part of my rehabilitation and as a small measure towards me making amends."

Knight said it was the victim's prerogative whether they chose to accept the letter, not a question for the prison. The barrister for Corrections Victoria, Debbie Mortimer SC, said the victim involved did not know about the letter and it would be "unfortunate in the extreme" if Knight disclosed their identity.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21971097-2,00.html

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On a side note on this case, Julian knight, when asked by police "why" he attacked innocent people, could only reply "I dunno, I'm not sure" . Prior to this incident, he was part of the Australian armed forces. Upon discovering that his career was soon to end, he took it upon himself to begin shooting people randomly, sparing one bullet for his suicide which he could not bring himself to use. To my knowledge, all the police that responded to that call left the job within 5 years. Two guys from my office were never the same after being one of the 1st to respond to the job, one quit within 18 months.

Oh, yes, WHY is he EVER getting out of prison for killing 7 people, that's seven life sentences in my book!!! Fu**ing legal system.

**countybear** · 06-26-07, 06:35 AM

Yet another example of why "life" should mean just that... life.

**CTR man** · 06-27-07, 12:03 AM

And for death sentences, "Death" should mean just that......Death.

Never did understand why it takes some states so freaking long to commute a death sentence.

Especially Mine, CA.

Yea, I know its the liberals but jeez!!!

**Jenna** · 06-27-07, 04:41 AM

Someone who murdered 7 people still has a chance of being released? What is the rationale for that?

**Tony** · 06-27-07, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Jenna

Someone who murdered 7 people still has a chance of being released? What is the rationale for that?

7 dead, 19 injured ~ he shot 26 people, and he hoped to kill ALL 26.

And he's not remorseful, not one ounce.

The State Govt changed the law, so this type of killer wont ever get out. But what's the point in bolting the shed now.